Lollapalooza 2026 Preview
- Kamari Crews
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Chicago is incredibly famous for their summers, and while the concrete beaches and vintage markets are unbeatable, nothing compares to the city's festival season. Live music is a summer staple all over the world, making Lollapalooza one of the most anticipated events for people all across the country.
Lineup
I honestly thought that Lolla would have a hard time beating last year’s lineup, but I was thankfully mistaken because they truly did their big one this year. Day 1 features a variety of musicians, such as Empire Of The Sun, 5 Seconds of Summer, Bella Kay, and Snow Strippers, with Lorde and John Summit headlining. On this day, I am incredibly excited to see CMAT, Audrey Hobert, Wet Leg, and Blood Orange. Day 2 features Charli XCX and The Smashing Pumpkins as headliners, with performances from Lil Uzi Very, 54 Ultra, Slayyyter, and more throughout the day. I am excited to finally see Zara Larsson, as well as Julia Wolfe and Suki Waterhouse. Day 3 features The Neighbourhood, Ethel Cain, Geese, Leon Thomas, and more, with Jennie and Olivia Dean headlining. I genuinely shed a tear at the when Olivia Dean was announced as a headliner, so saying I am excited is an understatement. Finally, day 4 features performances from bands like The Chainsmokers, Aespa, and Water From Your Eyes, with Tate McRae and The XX headlining.
I personally think the day-by-day split is near perfect. Each day has a vast variety of genres throughout the day, ensuring that everyone in attendance is able to partake in an enjoyable live music experience.
Fashion Trends and Expectations
Lollapalooza has a large influence on festival fashion and sees new trends every single year. This year, many people are gearing their outfits towards the headliners and their set aesthetics. Charli XCX, Lorde, Oliva Dean, Zara Larsson – they all have set aesthetics that influence fan fashion. This year, expect to see LOTS of glitter, mini and midi skirts, boleros or sheer ponchos, crocheted clothing, matching sets, bright colors, and streetwear. I am also expecting to see much more layering, with clothing, jewelry, belts, and other accessories.
While festival fashion is a huge part of what makes Lollapalooza so fun, it’s also important to maintain a level of comfortability. A rule I chose to ignore last year was to wear comfortable footwear, and this year, I will not be making that mistake again. I will be veering far away from heels and sticking with flat, comfortable shoes that can withstand miles and miles of walking over the weekend. Also gel insoles are absolutely worth the money. If you are extremely uncomfortable, I promise it will dampen your experience. Crop your shoes out of the photos, it’s not worth the pain.
Artists to Watch
This year’s Lolla lineup is features a variety of incredibly talented artists, and while there are so many people I want to see, these are a few sets that I think everyone MUST SEE:
CMAT – a Queer artist, an incredible lyricist with a unique sound, and is currently dominating the genre known as “Euro-Country”
Leon Thomas – a multi-talented, Grammy Award winning artist who is helping to define the current R&B and Soul scene
Khamari – a rising artist known for his clean vocals and blending of genres from neo-soul to alt rock
Wet Leg – an English indie rock band defined by their 90s inspired guitar riffs and Britpop influence, and their monotone, almost humorous observations on life through their lyrics
The Army, The Navy – an indie-folk and pop duo best known for their incredible harmonies and nostalgic sound
Chow Town & Brand Activations
Music aside, Lollapalooza has so much to offer, including Chow Town and dozens of brand activations. Below are my recommendations for Chow Town and different brand activations that will be live during the festival weekend.
Chow Town
Beat Kitchen – while there are many vendors serving pizza, I kept finding myself at Beat Kitchen and I highly recommend the Jumbo Pizza Slice; affordable and filling!
Harold’s Chicken – THE BEST chicken strips and fries at Lolla, not terribly priced but honestly worth the money if it were
Billy Goat Tavern – Great burgers! Very filling and one of the most affordable options
Chessie’s pub – Different kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches that are easy to eat and offer a fun twist to a traditional grilled cheese
Broken English Taco Pub – w\While I haven’t tried this vendor, I have heard they have incredible al pastor tacos and I am looking forward to trying them this year!
Chow town offers over 80 different options for food, with additional options like Plant Base, which is an entire section reserved for Vegan and Vegetarian food options, available. Vibe Village and Dessert Island hold more food, beverage, and dessert options as well, so no matter what, there is always something for everyone!
Brand Activations
Neutrogena – across the festival, Neutrogena will have 6 sunscreen stations, handing out SPF 70 to festivalgoers,a s well as a “Hydro Boost Juicy Lab”, where attendees can receive samples of Neutrogena’s famous Hydro Boost Water Gel.
T-Mobile Club Magenta – Club Magenta is exclusive for T-Mobile customers and offers a daily happy hour, celebrity and influencer meet and greets, comfortable seating and AC, and a great view of the T-Mobile stage.
Redbull Refuel Station – Whether you are looking for a place to relax or just a quick energy boost, the Red Bull Refuel Station is the perfect place to be. There are guest appearances, specialty drinks, seating, and free Red Bull cans available
Motorola Ferris Wheel – a new edition this year, Motorola is bringing it’s first “Razr Wheel” to Lollapalooza, and will be free for Lollapalooza ticket holders!
Reminders
It is important while at a music festival that you prioritize your health and safety to ensure you have a great experience! That being said, PLEASE do not forget to pack the following items in your festival bag:
Sunscreen - stop by the Neutrogena SPF station is you are running low! It's important to reapply throughout the day
Reusable water bottle – there are water fill stations all over Grant Park, available for use at any time
Hand sanitizer/wipes
Earplugs – they don’t have to be expensive, even the cheap foam ones are beneficial and will help you protect your hearing!
Portable charger – if you are a T-Mobile customer, you have access to free ones at the festival, otherwise you can pay to rent them if you don’t have your own
Portable/handheld fan – not technically a necessity, but definitely very helpful
Rain poncho – umbrellas aren’t allowed in, and even if there is not rain in the forecast, it’s always good to have just in case
Lollapalooza is the best part of summer in Chicago, and I cannot wait for this year's festival to kick off. Stay tune for my Lollapalooza 2026 coverage over the next couple of weeks! Have fun and stay safe!
Comments